Sweet music at last, Games get theme song

Meeting for the first time, after a series of allegations of corruption and financial wrongdoings rocked the Commonwealth Games preparations, the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on Commonwealth Games, headed by Union Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy, on Sunday approved the theme song for the Games.

Meeting for the first time, after a series of allegations of corruption and financial wrongdoings rocked the Commonwealth Games preparations, the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on Commonwealth Games, headed by Union Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy, on Sunday approved the theme song for the Games.

OC members said, the media preview of the theme song, sung by Oscar-winning music director A. R. Rehman, would be held tomorrow at Ashoka Hotel.

“We have approved the song in principle. It would be used in all Games-related promotional activities,” said Reddy.

“The idea is to ensure that the song becomes a sensation like the Football World Cup theme song “Waka Waka,” said a UD Ministry official who did not want to be named. EGoM members, however, refused to reveal the lyrics of the Games theme song.

The meeting comes a day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, taking charge of Games preparations (that were seen to be dithering after charges of corruption and delays), empowered the EGoM to take all decisions to ensure Games deadlines are met and that events pass off smoothly.

The meeting, which went on for close to three hours, also finalised some of the programmes pertaining to the opening and closing ceremonies.

“A.R. Rehman made a presentation before the EGoM on the theme song for the Games. A presentation on the opening and closing ceremony was also made,” said an UD Ministry official who did not want to be named.

Earlier in the day, talking to reporters, Reddy said, “Primarily, the focus is on delivery of the Games and preparation of the various items required for the opening ceremony.”

The EGoM also discussed the issue of civic agencies missing deadlines for completing various games infrastructure. It has asked the civic agencies to finish all infrastructure work by this month-end.

The EGoM had, in its last meeting, fixed August 10 as the deadline for clearing construction debris from across the city. However, civic agencies have failed to do so till now.